This research aims at investigating students' choices of whether they prefer multiple-choice or Essay assessments and investigating students' learning approaches to support their assessment preference. The research design used in this research was a descriptive method with a quantitative approach. 77 participants from 91 samples that the researcher set were included in this research. 11 participants could not participate fully where 3 participants were sick, 6 participants took part in activities outside the study hours, and 2 participants were absent. Simple random sampling was used in this research. The researcher developed 11 statements in the form of a questionnaire to determine the research subject preferences for essays and multiple-choice exams. Each number consisted of the characteristic of multiple choice and essay preference. The participants who chose to agree and strongly agree on number 13 until 17 would be categorized as having a multiple choice test type preference, while the participants who chose to agree and strongly agree on number 18 until 23 would be categorized as having an essay test type preference. Meanwhile, to address the second research question, the researcher created 9 statements in the form of a questionnaire to determine the research respondents' study approach. Each number consisted of the characteristic of surface learning approach and deep learning approach. The participants who chose to agree and strongly agree on number 1,3,8, and 11 were categorized as having a surface learning approaches, while the participants who chose to agree and strongly agree on number 2,6, 7,9 and 10 were categorized as having a deep learning approach. The results showed that the 77 participants showed various preferences. Total responses of participants showing preference for the essay test were 395 total responses, for the multiple choice test were 248 total responses, and for both tests (multiple choice and essay test) there were 203 total responses. Regarding the learning approach, the participant also showed a variety of approaches. The total responses of participants categorized as having a deep learning approach were 303 total responses, having a surface learning approach were 199 total responses, and having both approaches (surface and deep learning approach) were 189 total responses. In a nutshell, the findings of preference in this study do not support the previous research studies, Kai pa (2020) and Photopoulos et al. (2021 ), who found that multiple choice is preferred over essay. However, the findings on the leaning approach coincide with Santosa et al. (2021) who found that senior high school students tend to be using a deep learning approach.